10 Ways to Combat the Monday Blues

October 14, 2018

It’s Monday morning and you just can’t seem to find your rhythm. You’re convinced that the universe is working against you and all that’s going through your head is Carly Simon’s song lyrics, “Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.”

If you’ve ever had this experience, then you’re familiar with the Monday Blues. Some people may chalk it up to urban legend, but the Monday Blues are, in fact, real.

What Science Says About Mondays

Researchers have explored the psychology and physiology of Monday’s impact on people. Here’s what they found:

You weigh your heaviest on Monday according to studies. Many people choose to eat and drink more over the weekend.

Sleep patterns are off on Monday. Many people wake up and go to bed at regular times Monday through Thursday and disrupt this pattern over the weekend. This makes Monday morning feel more difficult than other weekday mornings because you are restarting a sleep pattern.

You feel least happy on Monday. People report being happiest on the weekends. Since Monday follows the happiest days, it feels unhappy by comparison according to a study by the University of Rochester.

How to Counteract the Monday Blues

All the things that cause the Monday Blues are entirely under your control. You are in charge of your eating, your sleep schedule, your thoughts, and your beliefs. This means that by adjusting habits and attitude you can start the week with a roar instead of a sigh. Here’s how:

Get enough sleep. Go to bed a little earlier than normal on Sunday night. Wake up a few minutes early and allow your body to ease into the morning rather than feeling rushed.

Meditate. Take time to follow a guided meditation or sit in silence. The body is more ready to meet a busy day when it has spent some time in meditation.

Allow for more time. Build in buffer time for traffic, for clearing the breakfast dishes or for a conversation with your loved ones. You’ll start your day in a less chaotic way.